Skip to main content

August 23 Wisdom, A Sure Shield

Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun. Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: That wisdom preserves the life of its possessor. ~Ecclesiastes 7:11-12 


Where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. ~James 3:16-17 

A fool and his money may soon be parted, but no one can separate you from your hard earned wisdom. That’s why it is such a great shield. Money can be gained and lost, but wisdom is available no matter what your status is in the world. Wisdom is gained through life experience. Its beauty is in the fact that it can’t be bought. It is taught, but you have to be tuned in to the right channel or you might miss it. 

James talks about two kinds of wisdom, worldly wisdom that is better known as, “looking out for No. 1,” and heavenly wisdom that is “pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” It all depends upon the direction of our heart. 

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12) It is interesting that, as we grow older, the worldly wisdom usually fades in importance and we find ourselves craving peace, purity, and harmony. Thus, the gift of God’s wisdom becomes most important. Our own personal goals are no longer as important as having family get along and taking the time to listen to others and to God. 

The teacher says that godly wisdom is better than an inheritance; that it will be a more protective shield than money ever could. As we grow in wisdom, we begin to understand why that is and, if we really understand, we will pursue it more than any financial gain. 

God’s wisdom will teach us how to get along so that we no longer have to fight for what we want or defend our way. We learn to value the shield that is growing within us. Each experience that helps us grow in God’s wisdom is a gift, from Him, that can never be taken away. May we lean on it as our protection, appreciate it’s value, and maintain it as our shield to bring us to eternity. 

Prayer: Father, thank You for the gift of Your Word that instructs us in wisdom. Father, thank you for the experiences of life, proctored and monitored by your gracious love, through which we learn the benefits of applying Your wisdom to out decisions. May we lean on Your wisdom as our protection, appreciate it’s value, and maintain it as our shield to bring us to eternity. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Song: Immortal, Invisible 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

211. The Sons of Thunder's Request

Matthew 20:20-28 , Mark 10:35-45 , Key verse: "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all." Mark 10:43B-44 In our readings for yesterday, in which Jesus outlined what was about to happen to Him, for His disciples, the passage in Luke ends: "The disciples did not understand any of this. It's meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what He was talking about." ( Luke 18:34 ) Now, we see just how truly clueless they were. Jesus had laid out a plan before them of pain and suffering and death and now James and John are focused on a promotion. The disconnect is so obvious. It's really not important to know whether James and john came up with this request on their own or if their mother put them up to it. The request was made and James and John thought that they could handle the responsibility that would come with it. What is that saying, "Fools rush in where angels fe...

204. Come Like a Child

Psalm 127 , Matthew 19:13-15 , Luke 18:15-17 , Mark 10:13-16 Key Verse: Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14 The attitude of the disciples isn't much different than the attitude of many people, even Christians, today. Instead of seeing children as a blessing from the Lord, too many regard them as a burden to bear that gets in the way of our own selfish happiness. Family size is determined by what we think we can afford rather than openness to God's blessing, trusting God to provide. Satan hates children. Children represent innocence. The sooner he can corrupt and or damage a child, the happier he is. This is why Jesus warned in Matthew 18:6: "If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drown in the depths of the sea." To corrupt or damage ...

174. Pleading for the Fig Tree

Proverbs 27:18 , Luke 13:6-9 Key Verse: He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored. Proverbs 27:18 We have here three main characters: a master, who acquired the tree in hopes of eventually enjoying its fruit, a servant, who looks to the tree to reflect his care and attention, and lastly, the tree itself. The master has the right to expect his investment to pay off. The servant, who has obviously put much effort into the tree, would also like to see fruit. The servant's interest is not only to show his own talent in gardening, but because he wants to please his master. Both the servant and the master are dependent upon the tree to do what it was designed to do. Their little parable is an interesting way for Jesus to finish off His exhortation to, "repent or perish."  God is the Master. He had a purpose for you before you were even born. ( Jeremiah 1:5 & Psalm 139:16 ) He planted you on this earth to ful...